The Essence of Tikkun Olam

Norma Stein | President, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Long Beach and West Orange County

As I complete my tenure as President of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Long Beach and West Orange County (JFCS), I want to take this opportunity to report our year in review. JFCS pivoted in response to increasing and pressing mental health and emergency services needs resulting from COVID-19 and found new and alternative ways to deliver its services. It was an intense year with a heavy workload for our staff, nevertheless, the agency persevered by meeting the needs of our clients and communities in fulfillment of our vision “a community healed, one person, one family at a time.” On behalf of the board, I would like to express my gratitude to our JFCS team for their tireless efforts and dedication to our mission.

We continued many novel approaches including a remote workforce delivering mental telehealth services, a volunteer food delivery program, and a virtual Café Europa. Recognizing the criticality for digital delivery, we undertook virtual fundraising as witnessed through “Virtual Race With A View,” a new speaker series “Tuesday Talks,” and “Donate To Celebrate” programs. Our website was redesigned, making it easier to navigate, provide more services information, and facilitate online giving.

I am pleased to report the following goals our Board committed to in 2020 have been accomplished:

• Strengthen and leverage current programs and add innovative programs that support articulated growth goals to meet the most pressing needs of our community while maintaining relevancy and mission alignment.

• Ensure an effective structure and high performing staff and board

• Continue strengthening our long-term financial sustainability

• Continue to enhance our presence, visibility, and brand/identity

• Examine JFCS’s infrastructure

Additionally, the JFCS Board established new committees/taskforces including: • CHESED – to assist individuals and families through tangible support such as Thanksgiving meals and Adopt-a-Family • Planned Giving Task Force – to develop and implement a formal planned giving program to foster organizational sustainability • Business Operations Planning Task Force – to identify and recommend annual business plan goals that support JFCS’s strategic plan

While we were sad Executive Director Kathryn Miles left JFCS, we are pleased to have our new CEO, Trip Oldfield, a Long Beach resident, and a highly experienced, and well-regarded non-profit executive with a strong background in mental health care and social services, serving diverse client populations.

Come January 2022, Mark Rapp will become JFCS’s new Board president. Mark has been an active member of the Board for over 6 years, serving on the Business and Finance, and Investment committees. He is the Chief Marketing Officer for Schools First Federal Credit Union and his expertise in marketing, communications, finance, and strategic planning will serve JFCS well. Norma Stein The past two years have been very fulfilling on so many levels. The opportunity to help guide JFCS through these tumultuous times while advancing our mission has been a privilege. As I reflect on my tenure, it is clear the spirit of “tzedakah” thrives whether through donations or the giving of one’s time or expertise, enabling JFCS to be there when people need us most. Upon becoming president, I said that JFCS is the essence of “Tikkun Olam,” working to make our community and world a better place. We have never wavered from that commitment, and it is very fulfilling to know that together we are making a profound impact on the lives of so many. JFCS enjoys the well-deserved reputation as a dynamic and vital organization whose true strength lies in the dedication, passion, and focus of its remarkable Board, staff, and donors. Our strong volunteerism will continue to propel JFCS to achieve even more than what we could ever envision. I want to thank our Executive Committee, Board and staff for their support and valued counsel. I also want to give special acknowledgement to my supportive and patient husband Jan, whose wisdom is immensely helpful.